Q&A with Hannah Davy: This is not the end, we will keep fighting and never give up.

What message do you have for trans and queer youth?

You are 100% worthy of being here, being you, and having the care you deserve. There are many of us who are here trying our hardest to keep that for you. We see you, we hear you, and we want you to know that we need you. Please reach out to me or others who you know if you feel that you should not be here. This is not the end, we will keep fighting and never give up, I ask that you don’t give up either and reach out for support if you need it.

In response to the decision by UPMC to disrupt and dismantle gender affirming healthcare for trans youth 19 and under, a stalwart group of UPMC employees have been resisting – challenging the administrative narrative, clarifying the consequences, and distinguishing between an executive order and a law. They’ve rallied, partnered with community groups, and worked behind the scenes on safety nets.

Over 400 UPMC employees signed the open letter (read it here.) Several have agreed to answer some questions for us. Their words and actions are inspiring. Please read, share, then read again. Understanding the facts – the facts of law, the facts of what UPMC administrators are telling their staff, and the facts of how to push back – is essential for all allies.

This is the third Q&A in that series. Please share to make sure trans youth read these messages directly from their providers and allies.

If you are a signator to the UPMC Open Letter willing to complete a Q&A. please email upmcproviders4transjustice@gmail.com

Your Name: Hannah Davy

Your Pronouns: she/they
Your Affiliation with UPMC: STAR Clinic Therapist

Please tell us about the first LGBTQIA+ person you met and describe the impact they had on your life

It is hard for me to say when I met the first person in my life who was LGBTQIA+. I myself was, and growing up in a rural area, did not realize because of the lack of outward expression from others and myself. I would say I most likely met someone in college who was and helped me to identify and explore myself more too. From there the impact was revolutionary for me as it helped me better understand not only myself but others and feel more connected. I now am mostly surrounded by individuals who are LGBTQIA+ and it feels like the family I never knew I was looking for full of warmth, ambition, and understanding.

UPMC’s Adolescent Programming for LGBTQIA+ youth, especially gender affirming healthcare, has been a source of pride for our region. Tell us about these healthcare supports in your own words.

As someone who is LGBTQIA+ I feel so grateful that we have this healthcare. It has been revolutionary for so many that I have had the honor to see access that care in my day-to-day work and personal life. There is one main provider I have the immense pleasure of working with which is Adolescent Medicine through UPMC. They provide amazing care even with the shift in the current political climate. It has been an extremely difficult past few months and they are still doing their best under UPMCs regulations and responses to the current presidency to support these clients and the community. With that being said, there are many other providers as well that I am now working with and referring to for care.

Please share something about Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ healthcare that most people would not know.

Within the community around me this is well known, however, in the general population maybe not so much. Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ healthcare is way more diverse than some realize. It includes services ranging from just consultation and being a safe space in therapy to surgeries and other forms of gender affirming care. This type of care in itself is simply just healthcare for individuals who need it as much as any other service anyone would get. Based on ample research and positive impacts that it has it should be more common and easily accessible.

Tell us about your own work with trans and queer youth (as much as you can share) as a UPMC employee.

I have many individuals whom I have worked with who identify as trans and queer youth/LGBTQIA+ that I see on a daily basis. They are some of the sweetest youth and people that I know. They are empathetic, intelligent, and so many other wonderful things. It is amazing to be privileged enough to provide services to these individuals and watch how they thrive and progress when they feel comfortable, safe, understood, and cared for in return. It truly breaks my heart at times seeing how this world and our country treats them, and it is an honor that I can help them through it.

In your professional opinion, what consequences can we expect as UPMC discontinues these healthcare services? Please help us understand the big and small impacts we might otherwise not notice.

It is hard to put into words the gravity and number of consequences that discontinuing this care would have. Both in the sense that we do not have full research on this phenomenon and it is so vast that I feel I will always be missing some of the impacts in my words. The most notable impacts that have been mentioned in my learning and experience are the potential for withdrawal induced suicidal ideation, psychosis, and gender dysphoria. The most all-encompassing way that I know to explain it is that it will impact every single part of these individuals’ lives, big and small, along with those around them, until the time that they are able to receive healthcare again for themselves as they are.

It is important to note that Pennsylvania lawmakers have not banned gender affirming healthcare. UPMC officials have implied that they are acting to protect providers from litigation, but your work and the work of your colleagues is absolutely legal. Do you think most people understand this legal and politicized landscape?

I do not think that most people understand this at all. It is incredibly infuriating and exhausting to attempt to understand the misunderstanding while hearing it repeatedly. There are little to no responses when this is mentioned, which is entirely a choice of its own.

Will you refer clients and potential clients out of the UPMC network? Is that a viable substitute?

I believe it is a viable substitute within the current context that it exists. I wish it did not have to be this way as UPMC used to provide some of the best care. Regardless, my goal is always to find clients the care that best fits their needs within today’s world.

What other options are available?

It is hard to put into words as this is still developing. I also think it is very personalized and like to explore options with my clients. I encourage people to reach out to me or others who are answering these questions/local resources to discuss further to find the best fit. There are certainly still providers who are going against the executive orders (which are not law) to provide care. We are threatened with legal recourse that is not specified in any way, but that will not stop us from helping those who need access to healthcare. Due to this, I will not list them as to protect their work, however, please reach out to me if you have any questions on who could be of help to you.

We’ve published the open letter to UPMC circulating among staff. Please tell us in your own words what the letter says.

The letter is a call to action created by some of my colleagues at STAR and signed by many more across UPMC asking UPMC to stand up to the current presidential administration and their executive orders to continue to provide lifesaving medicine for the healthcare people deserve. It sights the impact of these decisions and the gravity in which they will hurt our clients and the people we care for.

What message do you have for trans and queer youth?

How can blog readers support your efforts and the larger cause of preserving affirming healthcare?

There are so many ways that people can help. I encourage people to check on those around them, be a support, and advocate in the way that feels right for them. Whether that be protesting and reaching out to your representatives or being a safe space. Any, and all, ways are more than acceptable. Educate yourself and others as best as you can and don’t shy away from the uncomfortable, this is when we need to do the most. All the work everyone is doing is cherished and I want to thank you for that! You can also follow our social media and others mentioned in the next question for more ideas and ways to help.

Are there any social media accounts or websites people can access to stay up to date with your efforts?

TransYOUniting is a wonderful source among NPR, our newsletter for meetings, our Instagram (providers4transjustice), and local news sources reporting on our efforts.

Finally, what is your love song to trans and queer youth?

Honestly, I have so many it is hard to pick. I also am terrible at remembering song names but to me it is anything I associate with those that I love that they like and cherish. And I will say the same for trans and queer youth! Whatever song makes you feel strong is my love song as well to you.

I asked each for suggestions on how you can help. In my opinion, providing resources to trans led efforts is critical. All of these orgs and their members are experiencing the immediate fallout.

SistersPGH
QMNTY Center
TransYouniting
PFLAG Pittsburgh
PFLAG Beaver County
PFLAG Butler County
TransPride Pittsburgh
Hugh Lane Wellness Center
Pennsylvania Youth Congress
Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities Protect Trans Kids – pick up yard signs/stickers (**tied to this blog)

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